Early morning raids target alleged drug dealers in Anthony (update)

By James Staley and Adriana M. Chávez

Posted:
05/08/2013 07:42:01 AM MDT

Updated 6:10 p.m.

LAS CRUCES and ANTHONY, N.M. — Area residents awoke early Wednesday morning to loud booms and hovering helicopters as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in sweeping raids targeting drug trafficking in Doña Ana County.

An FBI official announced that 22 people — most of them living near Anthony, on either side of the state line — had been arrested during the multi-agency operation, which unfolded, often simultaneously, at 25 area locations starting shortly before 5 a.m.

Five charged after the lengthy investigation remain at-large.

Along with the arrests, agents seized nearly $111,000 in cash, cocaine and marijuana, FBI Special Agent Terry Wade estimated during a Wednesday afternoon news conference in Las Cruces. Part of that was 3 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated $75,000 on the street. More than 100 law enforcement personnel from numerous agencies also found nearly 20 firearms, he said.

Aside from those details and basics of some charges, Wade shed little light on the alleged crimes, how they might be connected, whether they are gang or Mexican cartel related, and if more arrests could be made. The investigation began in January.

"The Anthony area was a specific area of concern for us," Wade said, noting many of those arrested had a history of violence. " ... (We) all feel we have made a great stride in making the community safer, particularly in and around Anthony."

Some residents didn't feel secure as the operations started.

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In Anthony, residents reported hearing the booms, which were likely caused by flash bangs used by agents, and initially thought there was an explosion in the area. Authorities raided at least two homes miles apart in the border town.

Wade reported "no serious injuries" and that most of people were arrested "without incident." He declined to offer specifics on the explosions, calling them "tactical operations" because of threat of firearms at the targeted locations.

Beginning about 5 a.m., at least two helicopters were seen over Anthony. One shined a spotlight on some neighborhoods while the other hovered nearby. Wade said officials used "air assets" for "safety."

FBI agents were seen walking in and out of a mobile home in the 1400 block of Pond Wood Lane, just off of O'Hara Road.

Meanwhile, at a home in the 1600 block of Katy Road, near Loma Linda Elementary School, agents were seen taking photos of the inside of a black pickup truck parked in the home's driveway. A set of white wrought-iron window guards had been pried off of one of the windows, which was also broken out.

A woman who lives a few houses down from the home on Katy Road said she heard several loud booms, possibly from flash bangs agents used during the raid, as she woke up about 4:30 a.m.

"It was so strong it shook the windows," said the woman, who did not want to give her name, in Spanish. "I looked out the window and saw the police. I thought something had exploded, then I heard the helicopters."

Several federal agents in SWAT gear were also seen carrying rifles in a dirt lot near Loma Linda Elementary, while officers with the New Mexico State Police Department were also parked nearby.

Two of those charged, Benjamin Ochoa, 30, and Victor Alvarez, 43, are from Las Cruces, officials said. Ochoa was arrested, but it's unclear if that took place off Holman Road. Alvarez remains at-large.

Ochoa allegedly sold cocaine six times to a confidential source working in the investigation, according to a criminal complaint filed at U.S. Magistrate Court.

During the entire investigation, officers oversaw 40 covert drug deals and the purchase of five firearms, a news release states.

Local officials with the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, New Mexico State Police, Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department and Las Cruces Police worked on the raids.

Said Wade: "No one agency can do this alone. It takes a great deal of coordination from the beginning of the investigation, throughout, and of course the culmination with multiple sites being hit (Wednesday)."

James Staley may be reached at jstaley@lcsun-news.com; 575-541-5476. Follow him on Twitter @auguststaley

Adriana M. Chávez is a reporter for the El Paso-Times and may be reached at achavez@elpasotimes.com; 915-546-6117. Follow her on Twitter @AChavezEPTimes.

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By the numbers

29: People facing charges in criminal complaints unsealed Wednesday

25: Different locations hit by more than 100 law enforcement agents

24: Suspects in custody after Wednesday's raids — two already had been arrested on other charges

22: Residents of Doña Ana County charged as part of the raids, including 17 from Anthony, N.M.

$111,000: Estimated value of cash, cocaine and marijuana seized as part of the raids

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Summaries of criminal complaints, from the U.S. Attorney's Office

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1430 charges Jose Alvarez, 27, of Anthony, N.M., and Angel Herrera, 31, of Berino, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute heroin. If convicted, Alvarez and Herrera each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Alvarez and Herrera were arrested today.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1431 charges Angel Torres, 44, of Anthony, Texas, with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. If convicted, Torres faces a mandatory minimum five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison. Torres was arrested today.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1432 charges Rudy Portillo, 54, and Isaiah Portillo, 19, both of Anthony, N.M., and Victor Leos, 53, of Anthony, Texas, with conspiracy to distribute heroin. If convicted, Rudy Portillo, Isaiah Portillo and Leos each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Isaiah Portillo and Leos were arrested today. Rudy Portillo has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1433 charges Daniel Arrieta, 37, of Anthony, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute heroin. If convicted, Arrieta faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Arrieta has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1434 charges Noe Perez-Rodriguez, 46, of Berino, N.M., and Larry Valles, Sr., 50, of Los Lunas, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of cocaine. If convicted, Perez-Rodriguez and Valles each face a mandatory minimum five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison. Perez-Rodriguez also is charged with illegally entering into the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted of the immigration charge, Perez-Rodriguez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Perez-Rodriguez and Valles were arrested today.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1435 charges Michael Vega, 25, and Raul Martinez, 25, both of Anthony, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. If convicted, Vega and Martinez each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Martinez was arrested today. Vega is in state custody on other charges and will be transferred to federal custody to face the charges in the complaint.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1436 charges John Eric Sapien, 25, of Anthony, N.M., with distribution of cocaine. If convicted, Sapien faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Sapien is in state custody on other charges and will be transferred to federal custody to face the charges in the complaint.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1437 charges Gerardo Garcia, 63, of Vado, N.M., and Jose Salcido, 51, of Anthony, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. If convicted, Garcia and Salcido each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Salcido was arrested today. Garcia has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1438 charges Abel Romero, 29, of Anthony, N.M., Benjamin Ochoa, 30, of Las Cruces, N.M., Victor Alvarez, 43, of Las Cruces, N.M., Victor Cano, 30, of Anthony, N.M., and Jaime Cano, 29, of Canutillo, Texas, with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana and distribution of cocaine and marijuana. If convicted, each of the five defendants faces a mandatory minimum five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison. The complaint also charges Romero with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the firearm charge, Romero faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. Romero, Ochoa and Victor and Jaime Cano were arrested today. Alvarez has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1439 charges Eloy Rios-Montoya, 39, and Joey Martinez, 28, both of Anthony, Texas, and Sergio Cesar Reyes, 37, of Anthony, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. If convicted, Rios-Montoya, Reyes and Martinez each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Rios-Montoya, Martinez and Reyes were arrested today.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1441 charges Jesus M. Baeza-Lascano, 44, and Martin Nevarez, 49, both of Anthony, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. If convicted, Baeza-Lascano and Nevarez each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Baeza-Lascano was arrested today. Nevarez has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.

Criminal Complaint 13-MJ-1559 charges Roberto Andres Urquidi, 33, of Canutillo, Texas, and Freddy Sanchez-Ramirez, 55 of Anthony, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute heroin. If convicted, Urquidi and Sanchez-Ramirez each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Urquidi and Sanchez-Ramirez were arrested today.

Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.